Proverbs 18 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
During the reign of King Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Audience
The people of Israel, particularly young men, court officials, and leaders
Situation
Proverbs 18 presents wisdom sayings about the power and danger of speech, the value of relationships, and the contrast between isolation and community.
Key Background
This chapter is notable for its concentration on speech-related proverbs — the tongue as a source of life or death (v.21), the fool's lips bringing punishment (v.6-7), and the power of words to wound deeply (v.8). It also contains the famous declaration that 'the name of Yahweh is a strong tower' (v.10). The ancient Near Eastern context valued wise speech as essential for courtiers, merchants, and leaders navigating complex social hierarchies.
Someone who chases after his own desires; he lashes out against all
A takes no pleasure in — only in airing out his own opinions.
When shows up, contempt follows right behind, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
The words someone speaks are — a rushing stream, a fountain of
It's not right to show to the guilty, or to deny to someone who's done nothing wrong.
A fool's words drag him into fights, and his mouth is begging for a beating.
A fool's mouth is his own destruction, and his words are a that catches him.
The words of a are like — they slide right down into your gut.
Someone who's at their work is a close relative of someone who destroys things.
The name of is a — an runs to it and is safe.
A rich person's wealth is their — in their imagination, it's an unscalable wall.
Before someone crashes, their heart is but comes before honor.
If you answer before you listen, that's your own stupidity and embarrassment.
A person's can carry them through sickness, but a — who can bear that?
An intelligent mind acquires and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
A opens doors for someone and gets them a seat with important people.
The first person to make their case seems right — until someone else shows up and them.
settles disputes and separates powerful opponents.
An offended brother is harder to win back than a and quarrels are like the of a castle.
From the of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; they are satisfied by the harvest of their lips.
The tongue has the of and and people who love to talk will eat its
Whoever a wife something good and receives from
A poor person for but a rich person answers
A man with too many is headed for ruin, but there is a who than a brother.